In the 1880 census for Omaha, Nebraska, Horace is listed as a carpenter. He is listed in the 1889 and 1890 Business Directory of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska as a House Mover. Address 1124 North 18th Street, Omaha, Nebraska. He is listed on The Civil War Pension Index as serving as an artificer in the Unattached Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He enlisted Aug 29, 1864, giving his residence as Springfield, Mass. Pension applied for in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, Apr 16, 1891 Pension #1010032. Census states Horace came to the US in 1863 and that he owns his home, but it is not free from mortgage. Census also states his father Milo Seeley Barnum was born in New York, contrary to records that suggest he was born in Shipton, Canada.
Excerpt from Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska History: H. W. Barnum, gang boss of Building dept. of U.P.R.R. (Union Pacific Rail Road) was born in Danville, Canada East, August 27, 1840. Up to sixteen years of age he worked with his father in cabinet work, then went to Montreal and in 1856 worked on the Victoria Bridge. In 1857 went to Vudron on the Ottawa River and worked in a glass factory for one summer, then returned to Danville and attended school, after which he went to N.Y. State and learned to make rakes. In 1861 went to Springfield, Mass. and worked as a carpenter and millwright and for one year was foreman millwright in the US Army at Springfield. Before the close of the late rebellion he enlisted for 12 mo in the unattached heavy artillery. After his discharge he worked as a foreman millwright for the Hazard Powder Company at Hazardville, Conn. for 18 months, then at Rockville, Conn. as contrctor, Carpenter and Millwright. He then came to Council Bluffs, Iowa and worked as a carpenter, and in 1868 came to Omaha and was employed as passenger and foreman in the shops of the U.P.R.R. He helped build the shops after their destruction by fire and also helped build the passenger depot at Omaha. He then took charge of the pattern shop of the car dept. and from there to his present position. Married Miss Mary A. Shaw of Danville, Canada East, May 8, 1866. They have 6 children Charles E, William M, Horace, Freddie, George E and Nellie Barnum.